Collapsible container.



E. M. ANDERSON COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-16.1915- Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

WITNESSES:

"OLUMBXA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. C.

UNTTED @ATd ELIHU MVANDERSON, OF HOISINGTON, KANSAS.

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER.

Application filed January 16, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ELIHU M. ANDERSON, acitizen of the United States, residing at Hoisington, in the county ofBarton and State of Kansas, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Collapsible Containers, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in collapsible containers.

It is adapted for containers in which the ends are detachable from theother members.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide novel means for lacingthe end members of a box to the other members.

A further object of my invention is to provide novel means for lacingthe end members to the other members of a box in such a manner that thelaces will be subjected to a minimum of wear during the use of the box.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates the preferred embodimentof my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box provided withmy improvement, the cover being shown in the open position. Fig. 2 is across section of the box, the cover being shown in the closed positionand the ends of the lace secured together. Fig. 3 is a perspective viewof one of the end members of the box. Fig. t is a plan view of the side,bottom and cover members shown stretched out and flexibly connected toeach other.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts in the differentviews.

1 and 2 designate respectively the front and rear members, 3 designatesthe bottom member, and 4 the cover member. Each of said members isprovided adjacent to each of its ends with a row of perforations 5, theperforations in each row being, preferably, of an even number for thereasons hereinafter set forth. 7

As shown in Fig. 4, the members 2 and 3 may be flexibly connected witheach other and with the members and 1 respectively.

The two end members of the box comprise each a body 6 to the outer sideof which are secured adjacent to the respective edges of the body,cleats 7 which are provided with transverse holes or perforations 8which re- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. re, rein.

Serial No. 2,592.

spectively register with the adjacent perforation-s 5 of the membersadjacent to said cleats.

The end members are adapted to be detachably mounted between the othermembers of the box or container, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

For releasably securing the end members to the other members, I providetwo laces 9 which are respectively interlaced with the end members andwith the other members of the box.

In assembling the parts for use, the end members 6 are placed betweenthe members 1, 2 and 3, in the position shown in Fig. 1. Each lace 9 isthen extended through certain of the perforations 5 and 8, preferably inthe following manner. One end of the lace 9 which is to be inserted isprovided with a loop 10. The other end is passed outwardly through theuppermost hole 8 in the right cleat 7, as shown in Fig. 2, and throughthe perforation 5 which registers therewith in the front member 1. Thefree end of the lace 9 is then inserted from the outside inwardlythrough the perforations 5 and 8 next below, after which the free end ofthe lace is passed outwardly through the perforations 8 and 5 belowthose which were last named. This manner of interlacing is proceededwith until the lace will have been extended to each of the perforations8 in the right hand cleat 7, as viewed in Fig. 2. If the number ofperforations 8 in the right hand cleat 7 and in the front 1 are of aneven number, the lace will be passed inwardly through the lowermostperforation 8 in the right hand cleat 7, as viewed in Fig. 2. The freeend of the lace is then passed downwardly and outwardly through theright hand opening 8 in the bottom cleat 7 and through the perforation 5which registers therewith in the bottom member 3. The lace is theninterwoven or interlaced t irough the remaining openings 8 of the bottomcleat 7 and through the openings 8 of the left hand cleat 7, as viewedin Fig. 2, and the openings 5 which register therewith. If the openingsin the cleats just referred to are of even number, the lace will passfrom the bottom cleat to the left hand cleat at the inner edges thereof,and will be extended from the outside inwardly through the uppermostopen- Fig. 2. The other lace 9 is then interlaced with the cleats 7 ofthe opposite end memher and with the members 1, 3 and 2 in the samemanner as has been described with reference to the first lace. Bothlaces are then tightly drawn, so as to securely fasten the end membersto the front, bottom and back members. The box may then be packed withthe, goods which it is to contain, after which the cover 4 is swung tothe closed position shown in Fig. 2, following which the lacesare-passed upwardly respectively through the left hand perforatlons 8 1nthe top cleats 7 and through the perforations 5 firmly secure the coverin the closed position.

The ends of each lace 9 may then be tied together, as shown in Fig. 2.

'VVhen it is desired to open the box or container and collapse it, thismay be efi'ected by untying the laces 9, after which they may bewithdrawn from the perforations 8 and 5 through which they extend. Theend members may then be detached and the box or container collapsed.

I do not limit my invention to the structure shown and described, asmodification, within the scope ofthe appended claims, may be madewithout departing from the spirit of my invention.

.What I claim is 1. A collapsible container comprising perforatedmembers, each having adjacent to each of its ends a row of perforationsof an even number, two end members adapted for being releasably mountedbetween said other members, each end member having on one side cleatsdisposed respectively adjacent to its edges, said cleats being providedwith perforations respectively registering with the perforations in theadjacent first named members, and two laces extended respectivelythrough the perforations in the cleats of said two end members andthrough the adjacent perforations in the first named members, theinterlacing of said laces being so arranged that each lace will extendbetween adjacent cleats at the inner sides thereof.

2. A collapsible container comprising longitudinal members each havingat one of its ends an even number of perforations, a member disposedtransversely between the longitudinal members and having perforationsadapted to respectively register with the perforations of thelongitudinal members, and a lace interlaced through the perforations ofsaid longitudinal and trans verse members, and extending inwardly fromeach longitudinal member through the transverse member and thenceoutwardly through the transverse member and an adjacent longitudinalmember.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification inpresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ELIHU M. ANDERSON. lVitnesses lVARRnN D. HOUSE, E. B. Housn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained .for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

